Finnish Airshow 2021 Airshots
Discussion
There was an airshow at Kaivopuisto park in Helsinki last week. The flight line was out over the bay, so we popped out to a local island to swim, enjoy a sauna and get a different view of the action.
Airbus Super Puma of the Finnish Border Guard
A beautiful SNJ Harvard which has just arrived in Finland. We're a small country so it's nice to get interesting new aircraft operating locally.
This beautiful aircraft is the Saab B17, a dive bomber produced in Sweden. Two of these were operated by the Finns as target tugs in the 1950s. This is the only flightworthy airframe in the world.
This was the first chance to see the full display of the new Gripen E, and we were treated to this fuel dump which scared the pants off me because I wasn't expecting it. Shades of the old F111 displays back in the day.
Headlining the show were the Patrouille de France, who provided an excellent show as usual.
There were two NH90 helicopters on display, the local Finnish Army, and a German Heer visitor. The evening light was lovely.
This was also the first public look at the new livery of the Finnish solo Hawk, celebrating 40 years of Hawk operation in Finland.
Loudest display as usual goes to the Typhoon of 29sqn, it really is an impressive show.
The nicest surprise was the Italian F35A, it was due to do a flypast so we weren't expecting much, but we got several nice passes which really showed off the lines in the golden light.
Finishing the show( well the midnight Hawks finished the show but i was in the sauna about 24 seconds after taking this shot) is the local Hornet display. It's hard to imagine anything being able to eclipse this aircraft in Finnish service.
I was also able to get airside at the staging airport, Helsinki-Vantaa international airport, I'll post those later if anyone is interested!
Many thanks
Jake
Airbus Super Puma of the Finnish Border Guard
A beautiful SNJ Harvard which has just arrived in Finland. We're a small country so it's nice to get interesting new aircraft operating locally.
This beautiful aircraft is the Saab B17, a dive bomber produced in Sweden. Two of these were operated by the Finns as target tugs in the 1950s. This is the only flightworthy airframe in the world.
This was the first chance to see the full display of the new Gripen E, and we were treated to this fuel dump which scared the pants off me because I wasn't expecting it. Shades of the old F111 displays back in the day.
Headlining the show were the Patrouille de France, who provided an excellent show as usual.
There were two NH90 helicopters on display, the local Finnish Army, and a German Heer visitor. The evening light was lovely.
This was also the first public look at the new livery of the Finnish solo Hawk, celebrating 40 years of Hawk operation in Finland.
Loudest display as usual goes to the Typhoon of 29sqn, it really is an impressive show.
The nicest surprise was the Italian F35A, it was due to do a flypast so we weren't expecting much, but we got several nice passes which really showed off the lines in the golden light.
Finishing the show( well the midnight Hawks finished the show but i was in the sauna about 24 seconds after taking this shot) is the local Hornet display. It's hard to imagine anything being able to eclipse this aircraft in Finnish service.
I was also able to get airside at the staging airport, Helsinki-Vantaa international airport, I'll post those later if anyone is interested!
Many thanks
Jake
Following my previous post, this is a collection of a few shots I got to take Airside at Helsinki-Vantaa airport where the Kaivapuisto show was staged from. This was off limits to photographers so I was quite fortunate.
German NH90
The German Navy Westland Lynx was my highlight. As an ex-Westland apprentice, it was a pleasure to see an old Lynx again.
The rare and unusual Swedish Saab B17. The under carraige acts as an airbrake when lowered.
Helsinki has this year opened an Air France route, so it was nice to catch their Airbus taxiing behind the Patrouille de France
New Saab Gripen E heading out for it's practice display
The Dassault Rafle display jet fuelling up.
One of the pleasures of being airside is a chance to see the support aircraft. These are often overlooked, but this Transall has certainly got a story or two to tell.
The French also bought along an Atlas A400 to support the PdF.
It's worth another shot of the Saab B17 as it gets tucked into the hanger overnight. This shot shows of the long glasshouse.
Being airside also means a welcome chance to see the airliners come and go.
German NH90
The German Navy Westland Lynx was my highlight. As an ex-Westland apprentice, it was a pleasure to see an old Lynx again.
The rare and unusual Swedish Saab B17. The under carraige acts as an airbrake when lowered.
Helsinki has this year opened an Air France route, so it was nice to catch their Airbus taxiing behind the Patrouille de France
New Saab Gripen E heading out for it's practice display
The Dassault Rafle display jet fuelling up.
One of the pleasures of being airside is a chance to see the support aircraft. These are often overlooked, but this Transall has certainly got a story or two to tell.
The French also bought along an Atlas A400 to support the PdF.
It's worth another shot of the Saab B17 as it gets tucked into the hanger overnight. This shot shows of the long glasshouse.
Being airside also means a welcome chance to see the airliners come and go.
Yertis said:
Appreciated here too – the quality of light is lovely 
Thanks, I took a punt on going out to the island for the pics, it put me facing into the sun for most of the display area, but got an occasional good one. To be honest, a much lower return than normal, but that evening gold was lovely.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff